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Ang Lee Next Directing 3D Film on the Thrilla in Manila Boxing Match

After winning the Oscar for Best Director earlier this year, Life of Pi and Brokeback Mountain helmer Ang Lee is sticking with 3D for an interesting new film set in the world of boxing. Deadline reports Universal Pictures is behind Lee's new film which is being described as an epic journey into the boxing arena, specifically some of the biggest rivalries and fights from the 60s and 70s, including the iconic Thrilla in Manila, where the legendary Muhammad Ali faced off against Joe Frazier. The fights themselves will be recreated and shot natively in 3D and connected by some kind of unknown narrative element. More below!

Lee is also producing the film with his longtime producing partner James Schamus, who is now the CEO of Focus Features, which is under the Universal Pictures banner. They've worked together previously on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Ice Storm, Sense and Sensibility and more. This era of boxing was golden for the sport, where being the champ truly meant something around the world. We're not sure what other iconic fights will be at the center of the film, but we're quite interested to learn what kind of narrative will connect them, especially since The Queen and Frost/Nixon writer Peter Morgan is behind the script. And with Lee using the same 3D technology from Life of Pi, this will look amazing.